Nikki Glaser launched the Golden Globe Awards 2026 with his characteristic sense of humor.
The comedian, 41, opened the awards show on Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles with a monologue filled with timely jokes about the night’s nominees.
“Leonardo DiCaprio is here for One man bun after another,” Glaser said, referring to DiCaprio nominated film One battle after another. “How good Leo was One battle after another? It’s crazy, so good. What a career you’ve had, countless iconic performances, you’ve worked with a great director, you’ve won three Golden Globes, an Oscar, the most important thing is that you were able to do it before your girlfriend turned 30. I mean, it’s crazy.”
DiCaprio, 51, has dated a model Vittoria Cerettiwho is 27 years old, from the year 2023 and seemed to laugh at Glaser’s dig.
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards are here, and Hollywood’s biggest stars brought their fashion game, from couture gowns to sharp tailoring. Comedian Nikki Glaser reprises her role as host for the event, which kicked off on Sunday, January 11, and brought Tinseltown’s hottest to the red carpet. “Hosting the Golden Globes this (…)
“Leo, I’m sorry I made that joke, it’s cheap,” he apologized. “I tried not to, but it’s like we don’t know anything else about you. There’s nothing else, like, opening up. I looked it up (and) the most detailed interview you’ve ever done was in Teen Beat magazine in 1991. Is your favorite food still ‘pasta and more pasta?’ Look, this is real.”
After nodding to DiCaprio’s star-studded love life, Glaser turned his attention sinners star Michael B. Jordan.
“We can’t talk about movies without talking about them sinners,” he added. “I mean, sinners saved Warner Bros. for about a month, but still. Michael B. Jordan is nominated for best actor, so good, and in sinners, (he) played two brothers.”
Glaser later noted that he “couldn’t believe it” that he got to see two versions of Jordan, 38, on the big screen.
“When I saw it, I was like, ‘Nikki-be-jerkin’ because it was awesome,” she joked. “I’m sorry Michael. Why did I make that joke? (You’re here with) your mom. I shouldn’t have told you. That should have been (in) a direct message. My mistake. I love you, you’re amazing.”
Nikki Glaser is returning for a second year as host of the Golden Globes in 2026. The comedian earned rave reviews for her zingers aimed at Ben Affleck, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Selena Gomez during the 2025 event, so it’s no surprise producers have signed her up to repeat. (Glaser follows in the footsteps of the iconic (…)
CBS announced in March 2025 that Glaser would return to host the Golden Globes in 2026 after debuting in January 2025.
“Hosting the Golden Globes this year was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had in my career,” Glaser said in a statement in March 2025. “I can’t wait to do it again and this time in front of the The White Lotuswho will finally recognize my talent and cast me in Season 4 as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a shady past.”
President of the Golden Globes Helen Hoehne added at the time: “Nikki Glaser brought a refreshing spark and fearless wit to the Golden Globes stage this year. Her sharp humor and bold presence set the tone for an unforgettable night, making the ceremony feel vibrant and above all, fun.”
Before hosting the 2025 ceremony, Glaser said And! news that she he rehearsed his monologue 93 times in preparation for their hosting responsibilities.
“(Tonight) will be my 94th time saying some version of this,” she revealed on the red carpet. “I mean, it’s still changed even from the last time I said it to now, so we’re constantly making edits, trying to get through the jokes, trying to hit the right note and tone for the night. But it’s a lot of work.”
Despite her extensive preparations, Glaser clarified that her monologue will still include improvised moments.
Nobody goes at it like Nikki Glaser. While the comedian made headlines in May 2024 for his epic set on The Roast of Tom Brady, which aired live on Netflix, it certainly wasn’t the first time he’d gone for some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Glaser was also a force in comedy (…)
“I don’t want people to think, ‘Oh, she’s just reciting a monologue.’ I practice so much that when I get up there, I’m out of the book and I can just be there,” she explained. “And then that’s when things will start to come out that weren’t planned. So now I know so well that I can be myself.”
When Glaser took the stage later that night, he joked Ben Affleck, Sean “Diddy” Combs, selena gomez i Benny Blanco and more celebrities.
“Selena Gomez is here with Benny Blanco, her new fiancé, and Benny Blanco is here because of the genius who granted her this wish,” Glaser said, calling Blanco, 37, “a lucky guy.”
Glaser later revealed that she he received permission from Blanco to tell the joke during his monologue.
“I don’t burn people unless I’m hired to do it,” he said on the “Armchair Expert” podcast in February 2025. “Even the Golden Globes weren’t, like, a burn fest.”
Glaser added that attendees “were not signing up for a roast,” so he took a “very gentle” approach to his comments.
Glaser believed the “worst” thing he said was about Blanco, so he sent her a “joke voice memo” ahead of time. Blanco was “cool with it,” but also decided to “run it for Selena.”
“So I got permission,” he recalled. “I would never have made that joke (otherwise).”